How to Protect Yourself From Lightning

Lightning kills nearly 100 people in the United States each year, and injures another 300. Most of these tragedies can be prevented. Take the time to understand the risk and protect yourself and your home so you do not become the next victim.

Things You'll Need

• Surge Protectors
• Battery Radios

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Get indoors - your best bet when a storm is predicted is to be inside, with all of your windows and doors closed.

• 2

  Stay off the phone during a storm. This is because the electrical surges caused by lightning can enter your home right through the telephone line or the electrical wiring.

• 3

  Avoid metal pipes, since these can be conductors for lightning.

• 4

  Don't take a shower, wash your hands, wash dishes or use water in any other way if you think lightning is imminent - so you won't be electrocuted.

• 5

  Turn off all your appliances (including computers, television sets and power tools) and unplug them.

• 6

  Understand that you don't have to be in the heart of the storm to be in danger. The fact is that a bolt of lightning, which is five times hotter than the sun's surface, can strike as far as 10 miles away from where a storm is situated.

• 7

  Use a surge protector (a special safety plug unit available at discount and hardware stores) to protect specific items, such as your computer, air conditioner and other electrical appliances. This will automatically shut down the electricity if lightning strikes, to prevent fires as well as damage to individual items.

• 8

  Protect your entire house with lightning suppressors, which are special devices that can diminish the damage caused by a bolt. Use them on your electrical system, your television and cable antennas, and your phone system.